pearls - enquireies

[freemont]

Hello All

I have come to this site in the hope that someone will be able to give information on these items. First is a set of ear rings set on silver. They are in a red velvet box and have the following writing on the silk fabric in the box:- k mikimoto inc Ginza Tokyo. Second is a pearl necklace again in a red velvet box with a pink coloured sash reading shinbido kobe. They are very small pearls all 137 of them with a larger pearl on the clasp. Many Thanks Gary

 

[pearlescence]

Welcome to Pearl-Guide!

Feel free to post your own thread in this section, but please be sure to answer the following questions in your thread!


We would be pleased to try to help you determine what sort of pearls you have, but we will need some information from you first.

We need you to answer every question:


1. Do the pearls feel slightly gritty or smooth when rubbed gently against your tooth or against another pearl?
If they are gritty, they are likely to be real nacre (genuine pearls.) If they feel smooth, they are likely imitation pearls.

2. Please provide clear, in-focus photos without flash against a white background (a paper towel works nicely.)
Include close-ups of the clasp (front and back) and a few of the pearls. If there are flaws, include a photo of those. Also the box they came in, and tags if you have them.

3. Any history you can give us about the pearls. Where/when you or your relative got them, any documentation you have (receipts, appraisals), their price range if you know it, etc.

4. Describe any marks on the clasp. These may be numbers (14K, 585, 750, 925 etc.) or brand names or even pictures.

5. Measure the pearls, with a millimeter ruler if possible. If they are graduated, measure the largest and smallest pearls.


Please understand that any opinions we offer are not an official appraisal. If you think you may have valuable pearls, please see a jeweler.

 

[freemont]

Thanks for your response. To answer your questions:-
1/ yes they are definitely gritty on the teeth. 2/ Attached. 3/ We know they were brought back from Japan in the 50s. 4/ The only thing on the back of the clasp is the word ' silver'. 5/ The pearls total 137 on the chain and range from 1mm either side of the clasp up to 3 or 4 mm for the majority of the necklace. They also appear to be not perfectly round more like egg shape.. The ear rings are the ones marked k mikimoto and the best photo is the one in the previous thread.

 

[pattye]

Welcome, Freemont,

Any marks on the backs of the earrings? An interesting design!

Perhaps you could give us a close up of the necklace pearls, in the case on the white satin is ok or on a white paper towel. We would like to see the shape of the pearls better, and the color.

 

[kiwipaul]

Hi there, I recognise the earrings, they are a very well known Mikimoto design depicting the Southern Cross star constellation.

The Southern Cross appears on the Australian and New Zealand flags, and this design was very popular in both countries.

They came in a variety of sizes and configurations including pendants.

Here's a link to similar for sale on eBay at the moment:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141070517905#ht_535wt_1143

Mikimoto are the world's premier producer of cultured pearls and their jewellery is quite sought after.

Your necklace looks like a string of graduated cultured pearls, probably produced by one of Mikimoto's Japanese competitors.
However Shinbido could possibly be the name of a jewelry retailer based in Kobe.
Look on the back of the clasp of the pearls, if it has a little "M" logo inside a tiny clamshell shape, then the pearls will also be made by Mikimoto.

From the style of the boxes I would have guessed both items are from the 1960's, however 1950's could well be right.

They are attractive vintage items that don't have a large resale value. however they're very worthwhile for handing down within the family as heirlooms, and especially suitable to wear for weddings, graduations and the like. Nice pearl jewelry like this is timeless.